The Bachelor of Science in History, Technology, and Society (HTS) is a 122-credit-hour program designed for maximum versatility.
Unlike traditional liberal arts degrees, our curriculum allows you to leverage Georgia Tech’s technical core while dedicating significant space to specialized social science research and high-impact electives.
The Georgia Tech Core (36 Hours)
Every HTS student begins with the Institute's foundational curriculum, ensuring a high level of literacy in computing, mathematics, and laboratory sciences. This core includes 12 hours of Humanities and Fine Arts, specifically ENGL 1101/1102 and a foreign language, alongside a robust Wellness and Mathematics requirement. By grounding the HTS degree in these technical and analytical fundamentals, our graduates are uniquely prepared to communicate across disciplines.
HTS Major Core (32 Hours)
Students acquire a deep grounding in historical and sociological inquiry through a 32-hour sequence. To ensure a professional standard of scholarship, all major core classes must be taken for a letter grade with a minimum grade of C.
Social and Global Foundations: Students begin with SOC 1101 and either HIST 2111 or 2112 to establish a framework for understanding social structures and American history. This is deepened by the Non-US Requirement, where students choose two courses from a specialized menu to explore global cultures and international perspectives.
The Nexus of Science and Society: Reflecting our mission to analyze technological change, students complete two courses focused on Science, Technology, or Medicine. These courses examine how scientific breakthroughs and medical practices are shaped by—and in turn shape—the human experience.
Economic Context: Understanding the material forces of society is critical; students choose an Economics elective (ECON 2100, 2101, 2105, or 2106) to round out their social science foundation.
Advanced Research Methods: Mastery of the field is demonstrated through HTS 2101 (Historical and Sociological Methods) and two 4000-level Research Seminars. In these eight-credit-hour intensive capstones, students conduct original research, synthesize complex data, and produce a senior thesis under the guidance of faculty experts.
Customizable Electives (42 Hours)
With 24 hours of HTS electives and 18 hours of free electives, the HTS degree is one of the most flexible at the Institute.
Area of Specialization: Students select 9 hours in one of seven available sub-fields to build deep expertise in a specific topic area.
Non-Major Cluster: A unique 12-hour requirement where students complete a sequence of courses in a single field outside of HSOC — such as Computer Science, Biology, or Management — or apply those hours toward an interdisciplinary minor.
Explore undergraduate course descriptions in the Georgia Tech Catalog
A Major Built for Flexibility
Double Majoring
Because the HTS curriculum includes 30+ hours of elective space, it is the ideal "second major" for students in Engineering or the Sciences. In most cases, your technical requirements can populate the HTS elective slots, allowing you to earn two distinct degrees without significantly extending your time at Georgia Tech.
Transferring into HTS
Whether you are moving from another institution or changing your major within Georgia Tech, the transition is seamless.
Internal Transfers: Most students can switch to HTS as late as their junior year without losing academic credit.
External Transfers: Students joining us from other universities can typically complete their HTS degree within three years.
Academic Advising
Success in the HTS program starts with a personalized study plan. Our advising team is here to help you navigate degree checklists, plan for study abroad, and integrate internships.